‘When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her–East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But not matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.’
*****The Darkest Minds is on the trigger list for: Rape/Sexual Assault & Gun Violence.*****
In an unsuspecting world, the face of humanity was struck with was thought to be a disease. When that proved to be wrong, and those affected were then feared, all hell broke loose.
Bracken is crazy imaginative. The story that she’s created.. It blew me away the first time I’ve read it, and it was just as great the second time around.
The writing in The Darkest Minds is really, really good. When I first read this book a year ago, I didn’t really expect much from this book. Was I ever wrong! I ended up loving the series!!! Now rereading the series this year, I was once again swept up into the story of Ruby Daly. The Darkest Minds is such an intense read; the story is so emotional.
The Darkest Minds is excellently paced and seriously addictive. While reading the book it’s nice to know that the stories histories are told. Like, someone will ask something and then the characters will have a conversation about it.
Within the first 150 pages, you see Ruby growing already. She’s still learning the ropes of this world; and by the end of the book, she is practically a different person, emotionally. Ruby has so many internal struggles. She doesn’t want to betray her friends, but she’ll protect them at any cost. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but she’ll do whatever she needs to, to be able to stay with her friends. Ruby faces so much in this first book. It’s so insane. Ruby is such a strong character and is really morally ambiguous when she needs to be.
Liam, Chubs, and Zu.. What can I say about them?! They’re great. They all have their little flaws, but together they’re able to protect themselves as much as they can, with what little they have.
Liam, he’s so protective. He’ll put himself in harms way if it means that his friends will have a chance to escape.
Chubs, he is so stubborn. But once you become friends with him, he’s loyal to the core.
Zu, our little spark. She is such a great kid. She sees right through people’s bullshit and if she catches you bad-mouthing someone she’ll let you know she doesn’t like it.
All of these character have one thing in common. And I’m not just talking about the MC’s of the story. I’m talking about every single character mentioned; whether it be in passing or not, even the kids, the millions of them that aren’t mentioned. All of these have things in common. They were struck with such a shit card. That, and that they’ve survived. Which ever hell hole they ended up in.. They’ve survived and that is crazy.
And the ending!!! The first time I read it, it absolutely killed me! It’s so heartbreaking.
If you haven’t read this book yet, YOU NEED TO, OKAY???!
If you’re wanting to add this book to your To Be Read list, here you can find The Darkest Minds on GoodReads.
Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Adele.
Adele Is Reading 